The two bay mares stood silently on the track, heads tracking the running horses with curiosity. The thicker mare's eyes gleamed with fire and irritation while the slimmer mare's blazed with keenness. The riders sat quietly as they waited for the running pair to complete their workout. The blue eyed riders barely moved a muscle aboard their horses, relaxed in their own resolute stillness. It was a noble posture that the two brown horses carried themselves. One was a known champion due to her unbelievable performances on the racetrack, while the other was only known for her regal pedigree. Someday that may change, but the latter mare didn't know she wasn't a queen. Miss Josephine behaved like one, moved like one, and was a dominating presence on the track. Laura stroked the long black mane, felt the power of the Passionate Class mare. Josey tossed her head, eyes blazing furiously. She wasn't a filly to be coddled and held close. She was an independent horse with an independent mindset. Laura leaned back, turned her gaze to Maggie Reynolds. "This should be an interesting workout." "Just lean forward and enjoy the rush." Maggie cocked a brow, blue eyes scouring the track. "That is if we ever get on the track ourselves." Laura snorted, snuggling into her wind jacket. It was a freezing cold day to be sitting on the dirt track waiting for the yearling set to finish. Laura did not like sitting around for the yearlings. They were a joy to work with, but their workouts and time on the track always seemed to take longer than necessary. Enrapture and Awestruck flew around the far turn, attracting the attention of the older mares. Their ears shot straight up in acknowledgement of the galloping horses. Maggie was impressed with both fillies, especially Awestruck. The daughter of Touch Up looked absolutely powerful out there, her long stride covering the ground impressively. Her ears darted about on her head, giving the impression that she still wasn't focused. Maggie glanced down the track toward Malcolm aboard Jabberwock and Ripley aboard The Devil's Touch, another daughter of Touch Up. Both of them looked impressed, though Ripley was making her usual internal notes. You could tell by her eyes. The light bay form of Enrapture gritted down and got the better of True, her ears pinned and eyes focused. If there was a more focused yearling at the moment, Maggie wanted to meet him or her. Ennie already knew the meaning of racing, even though she had yet to go to an actual racetrack. It scared Maggie to know that both fillies had room for improvement when they were already so frighteningly good. Laura nudged Maggie and nodded to Ripley who was trotting toward them. The Devil thundered over the earth, tossing her head and proving slightly difficult. The retired broodmare looked more than ready to hop back into her former career of racing. She'd been a brilliant horse in her running days and had passed that brilliance to her offspring. If only she hadn't tried to kill them... "I want a brisk seven furlong breeze. Don't worry about the lead up, gallop as you please into the first furlong and then focus them on the job. I want a solid final half." The riders nodded, bumped fists with Brooks and Reese as they came off the track. Paranormal Hunter jumped right into the bit, moving more forcefully than she had all season. Her break had done her a world of good and now she looked ready to rock and roll. She would have to be ready off of this workout to handle the field in the La Costa Stakes. Her big lumbering form would need the race, but her innate talent and class could be more than enough to handle the field. She didn't need the victory. It was simply a stepping stone to the Wire Green Mile. A win wouldn't hurt though. Miss Josephine skipped alongside Para, her ears lost in her mane and her stride purposeful. She was getting back into racing as much as the other three year old filly, but her goals were simply less lofty. The goal for Josey was getting back in the winner's circle and to take up the mantle for next season. Maggie and Laura both hoped the Night Stalker grand-daughter would step into the lofty shoes of Whipped Cream come Year Fifteen. Grade four to grade one was the goal. The filly was certainly talented enough to do it. Laura patted the horse's neck, moved her hands up the filly's neck and set her down for the first furlong of the seven furlong breeze. Paranormal Hunter fell back when Miss Josephine took off. The heavy mare watched the fleet footed horse with keen eyes, but it was clear that she would be pursuing her in the end. Maggie let the Flash Limits daughter gather herself beneath her, enjoying the rocking horse movement. Para had a sweet, sweet stride and she used it to her full advantage. If she didn't have put effort in, chasing a much quicker horse, she surely would not. Para was economical if not fast at the get-go. Laura let the Passionate Class mare cruise along, impressed with her natural speed. She was a closer in her races, but she seemed to enjoy this leading stuff. Laura kept her hands relaxed on the reins as the filly clicked off impressive fractions. She pulled to a three length advantage on Para, but stayed there at Laura's asking. Both fillies needed the competition at the end of this seven furlong demonstration. Ripley and Malcolm watched as Miss Josephine skipped through four furlongs and into the fifth. "Ticking off the time easily. Third off the layoff may just be getting this one back in shape, Marsh." Mal steadied Jabberwock beneath him as the bay filly rolled into the far turn with Para kicking into gear behind her. Sometimes Jabberwock forgot he was a track pony. Maggie's eyes dried out in the face of the rushing wind. Para's heavy body powered off the turn, ears pinned back in her mane as she, finally, remembered her job. The bay roared after Josey, hooves churning through the dirt. The surface was not much to her liking because of its depth compared to the springy turf. Her heart was impressive for she not only overcame the surface, but also collared Miss Josephine with a half-furlong to go. The white-marked filly on the inside responded with a gutsy rebuttal, but she could not hold off the hurricane to her outside. The pair galloped through the wire, only getting stronger into the first turn. "Para needed that one. Definitely needs to get back running though." "It'll be nice to have her back on the racing roster. Third off the layoff for her will be the Breeders' Cup." "She'll definitely be ready. But Miss Josey's ready right now. That was impressive to say the least."
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Of all the people to experience a lull in their riding career, Justin had looked the least likely at the end of Year Thirteen. He'd ridden a mare to a Breeders' Cup victory, watched his usual grade one colt take third in the same race. He'd never felt better at that point. Now both of those horses were gone. One horse remained the same though he hadn't even been rideable at this point last year. That heavy set colt stood with blazing eyes staring right into Justin's dark brown ones. Casualty of War, a son of Man O' War and Flight Of Fancy. He was a vicious son of a gun. The meanest out of the entire Year Twelve crop. He was also very talented. He had not received the opportunity to show off his best form. All three of his victories had been hard fought ones. And all of his races had reflected some form of inexperience. That was all changing. Lately, Sultan had been a demon in his gallops, so on the muscle that he was worked alone. But he had not forgotten his arch nemesis. The colt's ears pricked up when Reese emerged from the stall guiding the fire colored colt. Spotlight Pride, potentially the fastest turf two year old miler in the country, had long put himself on Sultan's black list. The DeathFlash's Pride colt was not the most intimidating creature. Even now he danced sideways, mouthing the bit more out of nerves than eagerness. His wild eyes rolled in Sultan's direction, but he did not reflect any bit of their rivalry. He reflected fear. The colt was as fearful as they came until they hit the track. It was why Sultan hated him so. Fearless was the perfect way to describe Paranormal Hunter. The bay Flash Limits filly strode right up to the three year old barn as though she did not sense the crackling tension. Maggie patted the horse's neck, smiling when Reese and Justin emerged from the barn with their mounts in tow. Pride and Sultan might be hot stuff now, but they'd never faced the likes of Para. Her closing ability was renowned and people were beginning to just shake their heads when she won. She was a machine these days. Maggie wondered if perhaps Paranormal Hunter was the best three year old filly in training, regardless of surface. Ripley emerged from the shadows of the barn in her golf-cart, green eyes blazing with life. She scanned her three horses, nearly patted herself on the back. All of them looked simply fabulous. Sultan was coming into his own. Pride had yet to reach to his limit. And Para... well, she was simply indescribable. "Good to see them all ready to go." Ripley glanced toward the turf track, nodding to herself. "Mile and a quarter gallop, three furlong breeze. Nothing too heavy for them. We've got big plans coming up and they need to be prepared." It seemed liked Ripley became more and more quiet with her words every day. She rarely sat around and discussed tactics anymore. And yet she wasn't withdrawn. She was on a mission, nitpicking every little move they made. Today, she only nodded to them and drove off leaving her riders exchanging glances. Maggie had Para moving before the other two could turn and ask what was up. She was Ripley's best friend and even she didn't know what was going on with the head trainer. She'd played this waiting game before. Ripley would only talk when she was ready. Until then everyone, including herself, could be patient. Paranormal Hunter strode across the ground with purposeful strides, stronger than she'd been going into a workout a month before. She was on top of her game and it was really showing in ever glimmering section of hide, every impressive tangle of muscle. Casualty of War broke into a gallop first, not allowing the older filly to beat him to the punch. His eyes blazed as he passed Paranormal Hunter, recognizing her as a threat to his already shaky confidence. Spotlight Pride was bad for Casualty of War because the colt was so fleet footed at these distances. Sultan couldn't keep up. He relied on his strong cruising speed and it was effective as all get out at longer distances. Hopefully, in his next start, there were few horses faster than him. Pride bolted past Paranormal Hunter and Casualty of War with heart-pounding strides. He was so intense in full run, so determined to outrun his fears. He was a true racehorse in full flight. He was courageous. He was tough and he did not want anyone to beat him out. He raced side by side with Casualty of War over the hills, ears pinned to deflect the intimidation of Sultan. The larger black colt would have thrown his body under Pride's hooves if he knew that would stop the colt from burying him. Because that was an extreme option, Justin simply tugged the colt back and let Pride have his way. The chestnut stormed off to a length lead, settling down in his minimalist way. Maggie watched the action play out before her with bright, curious eyes. Pride was so quick and Sultan was so physical that they butted heads consistently. Para lingered at the back. She knew her job would be to run down both horses. She was becoming scary good at this profession. Her nostrils flared with every rolling stride. She was a great filly and Maggie was honored to be sitting on the filly's back. Pride cruised down the hillside, ears pricked now. He never seemed to have any cares in the world when he was racing on the front end. If you stuck him side by side with another horse, he'd fight to the death until he came out on top. Reese glanced back under her arm and noted that Sultan was keen on staying close. Justin had the reins loose around the colt's neck which told Reese the big black was finally relaxed enough to rate. He was on the improve that was for sure. She could hear the thunderous hoof beats of Para just farther back. That one was at the top of her game. Pride soared down the final hill, launching his body a foot until his hooves hit flat earth. Reese let the colt go, but both of them were shell-shocked for the moment when Sultan was suddenly by their side. The black horse stormed to race at Pride's head, gaze furious and determined. Justin was still aboard the black demon. Pride pinned his ears and rallied furiously to keep up. The pair of them whirled across the turf, locked in war. Maggie released Para the moment she hit the flat, shaking her head when the filly responded with a ferocious run. The bay caught up with the two younger horses in the second furlong, drawing level with them on Pride's side. Together, the trio bulletted toward the finish. All the riders were silent and still. No one wanted to interfere. Para snagged the win by a head with Pride and Sultan finishing dead even. Justin smacked Sultan's neck, pleased with the effort. They were definitely going to be able to beat the red colt soon. Sultan was only bound to get better. July Week Twoman hunt"I swear that this filly is tired of loosing," Laura growled as she tightened the girth to the racing saddle. She could hear the blood pounding in Lee's veins beneath that molten silver-brown hide. Lethal Knack had passed on some vengeful traits to his three year old daughter and it seemed it was only a matter of time before she acted on them. "I mean, seriously. She scared Battle Wings and she's been working out against our top tier horses ever since her return. How the hell are we being shut out every single race?" Brooks thought it was funny that the two completely opposite personality people had settled on the same thought. Laura would never have spoken this way to Brooks' girlfriend, Ripley, who was also the owner, but she could talk to him. He was more like a brother even though he was the assistant trainer at Witch Creek. Ripley had ranted to him last night and told him specifically to make sure that In Front and Lethal Dose got a good strong workout. She faith in both horses to notch that next victory, but she wanted a four furlong lung opener on each horse. A lung opener would be no problem for In Front. The blaze faced son of Touch Up stood head high and eyes full of eagerness and excitement. His body shook with it and his feet kept lifting as though he were marching in place. He'd finished second behind Anodyne in the Queen's Plate, but something told Brooks that the colt wanted more distance. It was likely In Front could snag the victory in the Prince of Wale's Stakes if perfectly trained for it. He'd been perfect in his gallops since the Queen's Plate, but he'd been perfect in every workout this season. He was on the edge of grade and Brooks certainly felt there was no more deserving horse than In Front to step up. He'd tangoed in every dance this year and proved he was a true battle-tested warrior. Lethal Dose was getting there. The bay filly had been stopped last time out with a disappointing fourth place finish, but perhaps she'd disappointed herself more than her handlers. All Laura knew was that the three year old was now breathing fire and today's workout was going to be a fireworks show. Lethal Dose snorted, bobbing her head as if she knew Laura's train of thought. The quartet strode out of the barn, humans mounting up as soon as possible. Lethal Dose let out a commanding neigh, pawing the ground fiercely enough to have In Front assessing her twice. The blaze faced colt snorted, eyes blazing at her in disgust of her newfound energy and strength. He practically pulled the reins through Brooks' hands, storming down the dirt path with fury. Brooks shook his head, cast a half-smile in Ripley's direction. The woman leaned against the railing of the track, green eyes following every move the horses made. She expected good performances and Brooks knew that she would get great performances. Lee bolted into a hand-gallop the minute she slipped by In Front. Her strides were powerful and purposeful, her neck extending so that her head was even with her shoulder. This was new. Usually, Lee was the one standing around for days. Instead, she cruised over the dirt course, kicking up massive clumps in her wake. The Lethal Knack filly was feeling murderous today. Hopefully, In Front would not be taken prisoner. Laura knew Lethal Dose would be a filly to reckon with. She had faith and pride in this whirlwind mount. Perhaps the press and competition did not see it, but someday they would. Brooks let out a low whistle when Lethal Dose cruised into the turn all alone on the lead. She going smoothly, tail flicking above her rear. Obviously, In Front would be closing as he was already five lengths behind. The big, lumbering animal rolled over the course with ears locked on the target. He mouthed the bit, chomping the aluminum with powerful bites. He was practically saying, "let me at her." Brooks kept the reins as loose as possible without letting the Touch Up colt soar. Laura did not bother to restrain Lethal Dose. It was too obvious that the filly would canter off and not get as hard a workout as necessary because In Front would not be pressuring her until the homestretch. She let the reins fly between her fingers, turning this four furlong blitz into a steady mile clip. Ripley would potentially kill her, but even the head trainer, unbeknownst to Laura, was nodding in approval from the rail. It was too late now anyway. Lethal Dose had a hold of the bit and she was on a tear. Brooks swore under his breath, feeling In Front pick up the pace in response to Lethal Dose's quick turn of foot. Change of plans. Luckily, In Front was not a one run closer. He was a grinder or a stalker usually. He did not need pace, but now he had it. The colt bounded over the earth, strides huge and effortless as he pursued the filly he'd underestimated. Lethal Dose spun around the turn, head up and mouth agape, clearly enjoying her run. She'd rolled through the first two furlongs and was just gliding at this point. Her ears had begun to flicker though and Laura knew that could only mean one thing. The unrelenting, powerful charge of In Front. In Front was potentially the second best colt in the country and there was a reason for that. Laura asked Lee to pick it up and she willingly responded. Her strides became fiercer as she whirled into the homestretch, ears bobbing back to lay flat on her neck. Brooks wanted to cackle maniacally as his strong horse wheeled up on Lethal Dose's outside. The colt's eyes were blazing as he drew alongside of her, his massive body dwarfing her smaller, but coltish one. Brooks knew he could tap the gear at anytime, but surprisingly In Front was not going by easily. Brooks' imaginary laugh turned into a grimace as Lethal Dose rallied on the inside to take the lead again, not budging. In Front geared up again, drawing the match to even, but Lethal Dose kept picking up speed. She was battling fiercely and now so was In Front. The two bays roared down to the wire, ears pinned, eyes fierce. No one was waving the white flag of surrender. The pair surged beneath the wire together, nose and nose. Brooks would have sworn Lethal Dose had nabbed In Front. When he glanced up, he knew she had. Laura never wore smug smiles when she lost. Ripley thrilled at the power of the three year olds as they cantered back into the first turn. Critics would say it was a poor workout for In Front if he couldn't even beat a maiden winner, but Ripley thought, perhaps they would be watching the rise of Lethal Dose as a runner in a few months. Workouts that ended in :10 2/5th second final furlongs usually meant that the subjects had plenty of speed and were coming into form. Tucking the watch into her pocket, Ripley prepared to watch her dirt three year olds rise from the ashes. paranoid heartRipley couldn't help but snarl as she raced through tacking up Cross My Heart for the workout. Cross was edgy as all get out thanks to Ripley's rush job. She danced between the cross-ties, throwing her head and flicking her tail in displeasure. She liked when Ripley took her time, became frustrated by all the action. It was times like this when Ripley could appreciate the black mare. Two years ago, Cross would have been screaming and cowering between the ties, fearful of all humans and ropes. Today, her eyes glittered with defiance and she was ready to pour gasoline on the fire if pushed too far. Across the way, Maggie was cranking the girth up on Paranormal Hunter. The bay filly bared her teeth in fury, launching both back hooves off the ground and barely missing Brooks as he dashed from the office to the stall of Lethal Dose. All four horses that were being worked today had an hour before the van picked them up. It had been a misunderstanding, but they couldn't miss the van into The Wire. Four big races in the next couple weeks meant being on time and no mess-ups. Obviously the second one wasn't going to happen, but the first still could. "All right, Rips. I'm all set." Maggie grunted as she hurtled onto the back of Paranormal Hunter. The daughter of Flash Limit's pinned her ears, but spun on command to trot out of the barn. Cross was practically in motion by the time Ripley scrambled onto the slim mare's back. The black horse did not suffer fools, not even a fool she adored. Ripley settled in, setting the mare into a canter after her lumbering stable-mate. Cross My Heart was a devilishly fast horse. She seemed to fly over the ground, breaking the barrier with every swift stride. She was a thrill to watch and amazingly durable. Cross had everything going for her. Looks, speed, pure courage. She never seemed to fail to be in contention at the wire and was classic enough to last from five furlongs to a mile. She was coming off a dominating victory in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf and would look to continue her rivalry with Innocent Passion in the Nearctic Stakes. Ripley relished the idea of taking on that foe, especially with Cross rounding back into her top form cycle. Maggie was getting a different feeling from Paranormal Hunter. The big bay daughter of Flash Limits was not going to wow you with her efforts in her workouts. She was not absolutely brilliant by any means until you set a target in front of her and asked her to give chase. Only in races was Para absolutely brilliant. She had a turn of foot like no other horse on the current Witch Creek roster. It always appeared that she wasn't going to be there at the end and then suddenly she was battling for first. She was a unique horse, possibly the most bad tempered on the current string. Maggie let her hands slide down the powerful three year olds neck as Cross My Heart surged by to assume command over the second hill. Para's ears flipped down momentarily, but her strides never quickened. To Para's benefit and her opponent's downfall, Para never got riled up in the beginning of the race. Ripley knew that the only way to beat Para was to run her into the ground. There was no doubt in Ripley's mind that she couldn't leave that Flash Limits filly floundering. She had the right horse to do so, but both of them had beaten Innocent Passion. Both of them were absolutely lethal and Ripley had trained Para to too many victories to underestimate that foe. She was deadly from six to eleven furlongs. How many horses could do that? The mare and filly traveled one-two over the course, each kicking up clods of turf in their wake. One seemed to just glide through the atmosphere while the other scared away the animal life with her loudness. Yet, both horses were deadly in their own way. Maggie and Ripley were poised in the saddle, hands as still as possible as the three furlong flat neared. It was almost time to see what each horse had to offer. Maggie pressed the button as soon as Para reached the crest of the hill. Her eyes blazed with fury at being awoken, but when she recognized her foe, Para was more than ready for take off. Cross was hard to beat in a three horse workout. She would be even tougher in a two horse workout. The black mare ran with her head and tail high, not even full out yet. It was time to strike. Ripley heard the threatening hoofbeats and did not glance back. Cross's ears pinned in a furious reaction. She was impressed at all by the sounds of those running hooves. It meant only one thing that the freight train was going to once again push her to her limit. Ripley leaned close, allowing the reins to soar through her gloved fingers. It was like riding a jet. Only Cross could throw Ripley back in the saddle after already being at a gallop. Maggie rode Para hard through the first furlong, egging the bay filly to pick it up. She was snorting fiercely, her feet hitting the ground loudly. She was not happy to be under pressure, but she would not argue. She sensed the looming danger of letting Cross My Heart loose on the lead. It took Paranormal Hunter a while to reel Cross in, but she was at the older horse's barrel half-way through the final furlong. Cross's eyes flashed with annoyance, her nostrils flaring to take in maximum air. She pushed on, refusing to allow the Flash Limit's filly to get closer. Ripley and Maggie fell silent, understanding that there was no need to push anymore. The horses would do their job. Ripley hit the stopwatch as the pair passed through the imaginary wire. Her eyes drifted down, nodding in approval. The last three furlongs had been in :36.48 seconds. Flying after a mile and a quarter gallop. Both horses were beyond ready to prove themselves in their separate races. It left Maggie Reynolds wondering what would happen if Cross My Heart and Paranormal Hunter met on the biggest stage. Shrugging, the blond woman let it float to the back of her mind. It would never happen. |
WorkoutsPlease realize that I do add in workouts before they are necessarily due. If you are looking for a specific horse because you are judging a race, click on his/her name below and his/her latest workout will appear at the top or your screen. Categories
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